MDNR: Va. waterman caught with undersized crabs

A Virginia man has been charged with six counts of violating Maryland’s fishing regulations after he was caught with 625 undersized crabs as part of his harvest, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Daniel Mercado Mariano Jr., 40, of Tangier, was offloading his catch in Crisfield on July 5 when officers on patrol arrived to measure it. All six bushels contained undersized crabs, MDNR said, which were seized and returned to Maryland state waters.

This is not Mariano’s first offense in Maryland. In 2012, he was found guilty in Somerset County District Court of possessing unmeasured oysters and was ordered to pay $550 in fines and court costs, according to MDNR. He is scheduled to appear in the same court on Aug. 9 for his current charges.